Annihilation

by
VanderMeer, Jeff

Plot/Summary:
Years ago Florida was consumed by an unknowable biosphere
called Area X. The area has been abandoned by the human
race and is now watched over by the mysterious Southern
Reach organization. The Southern Reach sends groups of
field experts in, but none of the expeditions have come
back with good results. Two missions ended when the
groups turned on each other. The eleventh group returned
to society, but within six months all died of cancer.
Annihilation follows the twelfth expedition, made up
of four women: a psychologist, a surveyor, an
anthropologist, and a biologist, whose journal makes up
the narrative of the book. The women make their way to
the area and set up camp, but within only a few days
start to learn that Area X is not what it seems, and that
the Southern Reach might not have prepared them for what
they will find.

Comments:
Jeff VanderMeer's science fiction/dystopian thriller is a
book the reader won't be able to put down. From the start,
VanderMeer throws his audience into the terrifying,
fascinating world of Area X, and the reader can't help but
follow the biologist along for the ride. The mystery of the
characters -- who they are and why they chose to go on such
a mission -- is just as fun and riveting as their attempts
to unlock the secrets of Area X.